Just the other day I had an interesting conversation with a Staff Sergeant in my unit. He asked me what my plans were as soon as I get out of the Army. I explained to him my plan for writing and how much of a success this blog has been and some of my other articles have been including at Midnight Freemasons. Now, his response kind of shocked me by far and yet I don't really know why. He asked in his rather southern twang, "Freemason Blogs? Y'all are bringing Freemasonry mainstream, aren't y'all suppose to be a secret or something?" My head spun as I reeled trying to figure out an answer for this man who obviously had no idea what we did as Freemasons. I asked him if he knew what the big buildings were with the big "G's"; he of course knew exactly what I was referring to. I then continued to ask him if he knew anything about the Shriner's, which to no surprise he knew all about them and the great things they have done for Children's hospitals. With this newly found information that I now had about a man who seemingly knew nothing about Freemasonry I posed the same very question to him. I asked " With all these buildings, organizations and outreach programs, do you think we are a secret?"
He too the question fairly well. He told me that he guessed not but to have blogs, newspapers and podcasts going around the Internet about Freemasonry, how can we keep the secret stuff secret?
Brethren, I fear this issue we are getting caught between the new world and the old. A world where we have so much technology and we don't know how to utilize it properly. I have already talked about moving Freemasonry into the 21st Century. I am currently waiting for it to be published. When it is published I will be sure to inform everyone where they can find the article via twitter or Facebook (@iAaron357, Aaron Gardner).
Moving toward the 21st Century is part of the issue, yes. However, I feel there may be something underlying our issue of change. More of a deeper "Iceberg" if you will. Why is it that we have to be a secret society but not be able to cater to our Masonic needs as brethren using magazines, newspapers, podcasts and blogs? Are we still struggling with what is a secret and what isn't?
Let's look at this for a moment, have the requirements changed in order to become a Freemason? I don't think so... you must still be a man, freeborn, of good repute and well-recommended; you must still believe in a Supreme Being; you must still be able to support yourself and family; You most definitely must be of lawful age; and you must have come to Freemasonry of your "own free will and accord". That means someone didn't hold a gun to your head and say you had to become a Freemason, or your dad didn't kick you out of the house because you denied his life long goal of having his first born become a Mason. And of course... "To be one ask one". I get tired of saying that to people who may be inquiring about the fraternity but are doing nothing but beating around the bush. Anyway, this information does not count as secrets.
You know what else doesn't count as our secrets? Our plan for a barbecue weekend this weekend, or how about this one... Our goal to raise money for the Shriner's foundation? Here's another one that might surprise you, our thoughts and beliefs on societal issues. We are human beings and we all believe different ideas outside of the lodge. Just don't bring them into the lodge unless you truly believe that it could better our fraternity.
With how connected the world is these days, how else are we going to communicate and get the word out to everyone about an event or learn about new ideas? Sure, you could call the brethren, or meet them face to face and give them a grip like it was done during our grandparents time; or, you can step up your technology process write an invite in a magazine so Masons all over the country could decide if they are in the area. Even better, You can put a huge invite on Facebook and it will automatically program in people's calendars on their phones. Anyone interested in the 'Downtown Cookout' can now see it on blogs that advertise it and your lodges Facebook. Making fraternal fellowship more accessible to other Masons who are outside your lodge.
So, are we Mainstream or are we still shrouded in the darkness of secrecy? I'd like to tell you both. Haven't you ever heard of the old saying, "The best kept secrets are right in plain sight'?
AG
